[ad_1]
Russian and Senegalese foreign ministers discuss countering continental security threats
Russia is willing to assist Senegal and other African countries in strengthening their defense capabilities and counter-terrorism preparedness, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
Lavrov, speaking after talks in Moscow with his Senegalese counterpart Yassine Fall, stressed the growing threat posed by Islamist groups in West Africa and the importance of a joint response.
“Russia is ready to assist Senegal and other African countries in strengthening their national defense capabilities and improving the anti-terrorist readiness of the armed forces and special forces,” the Russian foreign minister said.
Lavrov noted that the Islamist group is gradually expanding its influence in West African countries, including Senegal’s neighbors.
Russian diplomats said coordinated efforts were essential to combat the spread of terrorism in the region, noting that “we have common interests in joining forces to combat these threats.”
In addition to defense support, Sergey Lavrov also announced that a cybersecurity center will be established in Senegal. He said: “In this area, we have accumulated very positive experience both at the national level and in the framework of bilateral relations with many partners, as well as at the United Nations, where, at our initiative, norms and principles for ensuring international cybersecurity are being developed.”
Yassine Fall stressed that Senegal is committed to strengthening economic and political ties with Russia, saying that the relationship between the two countries is rooted in “friendship and brotherhood.”
She added: “We are ready to cooperate and want to elevate our interactions, especially in economic relations, while maintaining a strong political dialogue.”
Last month, Senegalese President Basilu Diomaye Faye, who won a landslide victory in March elections, met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov. During the meeting in Dakar, the two sides discussed strengthening trade and investment partnerships and joint projects in the mining, energy and agriculture sectors.
（RT.com）
[ad_2]
Source link
